RESOLUTION No. __________, Series 2018
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A RESOLUTION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT SUPPORTING MEDICAL CANNABIS LEGALIZATION IN KENTUCKY. (AS AMENDED).
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Sponsored By: Council MEMBERS hollander, bUTLER, cOAN, fOWLER, LeET, jAMES, mULVIHILL, rEED, sEXTON sMITH, wELCH, HAMILTON, LANSHIMA, ACKERSON AND YATES
WHEREAS, thousands of Kentuckians suffer from debilitating pain and symptoms from numerous diseases or chronic illnesses, including but not limited to cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Crohn's disease, and fibromyalgia; and
WHEREAS, Kentucky men and women veterans of the United States Armed Forces suffer from severe post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the effects of combat after serving honorably to protect their country and fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, medical cannabis is widely known to limit the negative symptoms and debilitating pain for patients of numerous diseases or chronic diseases, and many citizens are replacing other drugs, including narcotic pain relievers, which have many adverse side effects, because they have found cannabis to be the most effective drug to provide relief; and
WHEREAS, more than two million Americans use medical cannabis to ease the symptoms and debilitating pain due to illnesses or ailments in the 29 states and District of Columbia where such treatment is legal; and
WHEREAS, the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine reports that opioid overdose deaths have fallen by 25 percent in states that have legalized medical cannabis; and
WHEREAS, in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where the 2014 veteran suicide rate was 10 percent higher than the national average, many veterans and their physicians say that medical cannabis is the most effective treatment for chronic pain and PTSD; and
WHEREAS, medical cannabis cannot be legally administered within the Commonwealth of Kentucky while 29 other states and the District of Columbia have legalized the treatment; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the Commonwealth of Kentucky legalized the growth and production of hemp through a significantly regulated process even as hemp, like cannabis, is classified as a Schedule I substance by the federal government; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 166, legislation to legalize medical cannabis within the Commonwealth of Kentucky is being considered in the Kentucky General Assembly.
WHEREAS: The Louisville Metro Council recognizes the important scientific and enforcement work of the Federal Drug Administration, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Drug Enforcement Administration; however, cannabis remains illegal at the federal level as a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (“METRO COUNCIL”) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: The Louisville Metro Council requests that the Federal Drug Administration, National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Drug Enforcement Agency expedite research on the safety and effectiveness of the use of medical cannabis for certain health purposes.
SECTION II: The Metro Council believes that the Controlled Substances Act should be amended to remove cannabis from scheduling.
SECTION III: The Metro Council acknowledges that every state will have differing and sometimes conflicting views of legalized cannabis and how to regulate it, but we would ask the federal government to allow each state the ability to craft its own regulations regarding cannabis.
SECTION IV: The Metro Council urges the Kentucky General Assembly to adopt House Bill 166 or any other legislation that would legalize medical cannabis in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and provide for the care, comfort and relief of any Kentuckian who may benefit.
SECTION IIV: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval. and we request the Clerk of the Metro Council forward copies of this Resolution to the Kentucky Legislature, Governor Matt Bevin, the Federal Drug Administration, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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_______________________________ H. Stephen Ott Metro Council Clerk |
_____________________________ David James President of the Council |
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_______________________________ Greg Fischer Mayor |
_____________________________ Approval Date |
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: ____________________________
R-024-18 - Ver 2 Support for Medical Cannabis Legalization Resolution as amended 2-28-18.docx